Indiana Pacers Projected Starters (18-19)

What to watch

Jason Thompson set a new season-high with 16 rebounds on Sunday, but struggled Tuesday in Indiana. Coach Malone needs a big game out of his longest tenured player, especially against an All-Star player like Love. If Minnesota dominates the glass, they have a great shot of winning this game.

Cousins has struggled against Pek in the past. The fourth-year center out of Montenegro is averaging a career-high 18.3 points and 9.2 rebounds for the T-Wolves. In the past, Pekovic has beaten Cousins down the court and established himself in the post before the Kings starting center can get back. But this is a different Cousins. After dropping in 31 points and 13 rebounds against the Pacers on Tuesday, Cousins is on a mission to prove he belongs with the elite in New Orleans next month at All Star weekend. He needs to slay another beast tonight to further that goal.

3. How does Derrick Williams fare against his old team?

Williams is beginning to carve out a niche with the Kings second unit and tonight, he returns to the team that drafted him second overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. Williams would love nothing more than to have a break out game against Adelman and the Timberwolves.

Advertise With Us

About CK

Founded in 2009, Cowbell Kingdom is a member of the ESPN TrueHoop Network. Its goal is to provide frontline, on-the-ground coverage of the Kings that leads to interesting and thought-provoking discussion amongst readers and viewers.